RI petitions EPA to force upwind states to curb air pollution

Monday

Dec 9, 2013 at 11:25 AM

Rhode Island is among a group of seven northeast states that on Monday petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to require upwind states to reduce air pollution discharges that prevailing winds carry east.

Richard Salit Journal Staff Writer richsalit

Rhode Island is among a group of seven northeast states that on Monday petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to require upwind states to reduce air pollution discharges that prevailing winds carry east.

"Our goal is to eliminate Ozone Alert Days in Rhode Island. Despite aggressive state and regional efforts to reduce ozone causing emissions within our borders, Rhode Islanders still face bad air days each and every summer because of air pollutants from upwind states," Governor Chafee said in a statement.

"Stronger controls...are needed to level the playing field and improve air quality in downwind states such as Rhode Island."

The petition asks EPA to add nine upwind states to an existing area designated as an "Ozone Transport Region," which would require them to act to reduce their emissions. Rhode Island and the states that submitted the petition in Washington, D.C., are part of the region.